On Tuesday, Cowboys owner and General Manager Jerry Jones introduced a new philosophy for approaching trades that may hinder the team from making any deals before next Tuesday’s deadline. However, Charean Williams pointed out during Wednesday’s PFT Live that Jones’s reluctance to appear too eager to get a deal done could backfire.
Last August, Jones gave up more than necessary to acquire 49ers quarterback Trey Lance. While 49ers G.M. John Lynch wisely refrained from boasting about Dallas sending a fourth-round pick, Lynch’s comments after the trade made it clear they were satisfied with the outcome.
“It didn’t look like this at the beginning of our conversations,” Lynch said at the time. “It was nowhere near close. So things escalated quickly today.”
In hindsight, it seems Jones now acknowledges that he gave up more than was required to secure Lance. Consequently, he appears hesitant to take the first step when it comes to potential trades before the deadline.
However, this reaction seems like an overreach. There are ways to initiate discussions without losing leverage or appearing too eager. There are methods to be coy and convey a sense of indifference towards making a deal.
With the Lance acquisition, the Cowboys were seemingly too willing and ended up giving away more than necessary. And now, it seems this experience has left a lasting impression.
